Over-packaged and somewhat crude masala incense by Hari Darshan of Delhi who are marketing in the West under the brand name of Tribal Soul. This is a case of style over substance. The box is packaged to look like American Indian smudge incense, with dream catcher images, and the words "Smudge Sticks" instead of agarbatti or incense sticks. Now I do like good packaging, but this is just a little bit excessive, the packet inside the box is sealed with a hand tied piece of string. There's even an orange coloured feather to match the orange tips of the incense sticks. Kinda nice, but really, that is just a bit over the top. Also, I dislike that it is presenting itself as being part of a different culture. Be honest and direct - say you're an Indian incense, not an American one. Also, at the end of the day, what really matters is the incense and how it smells. This is myrrh, which is one of my favourite incenses, and it smells sweet and delicious on the stick, with a gentle musky warmth, but on burning it's too hot and thin and while it starts off OK, soon degenerates into burning sawdust. There's some pleasant prickly balsamic notes which balance the sawdust, so it's not completely bad, but this is an incense which deserves to be so much better.
Date: Feb 2020 Score: 28
I'm giving this another go. I think I was a bit harsh, and a bit petty as regards the packaging. I actually quite like attractive, decent quality packaging which is what this is. Though I still have some doubts about the use of spiritual ethnic American culture to sell Indian incense.
The fragrance on the stick is sherbet sweet and very attractive, if a little peppery and sharp. The scent on the burn is pleasant, though doesn't excite me. It's a little prickly, but is otherwise OK, without really drawing me in. It exists in the room as a masala incense, but I am not a part of it. I don't feel involved or touched by this incense. There's nothing offensive here, but nothing particularly delightful either. The scent is woody. There is no sense of myrrh, or any resin. I'm not getting much movement away from wood.
Date: Jan 2022 Score: 28
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| Hari Darshan |
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